The authorities in New York are getting serious about ending bridge strikes. In a weeklong enforcement period in November, police stopped 196 commercial trucks and issued 50 tickets -- all with the goal of keeping commercial vehicles from ending up on roads where they...
New York Traffic Violations Legal Blog
New York is stepping up education and enforcement regarding bridge strikes
When a commercial vehicle tries to pass under a bridge without enough clearance, it can be disastrous. These bridge strikes are probably far more common that most people realize -- and they cause injuries, interrupt commerce, disrupt travel times and cause damage to...
What New York laws apply to motorists driving alongside pedestrians and cyclists?
New York City is notorious for having congested roads. Many people take their bikes or walk to get to and from as a result. There are laws on the books that lawmakers expect pedestrians and bicyclists to know and follow; they seldom do, though. Motorists frequently...
It is unwise to ignore even minor traffic violations
When most New York residents get a traffic ticket or break traffic laws, they pay any fines required and move forward. However, as time passes and traffic violations pile up, you may begin to feel that you should have made more of an effort to overcome your situation...
Chatting behind the wheel? You could face penalties
You probably know that texting behind the wheel is prohibited in New York, just as using your phone is. In fact, as of Dec. 1, 2001, violators who use a handheld telephone to place a call while driving may be charged with fines of up to $200 and will receive a ticket...
How do police spot a texting driver?
You’re not allowed to text and drive, but you may be wondering how the police would even know what was happening. It’s not as if you hold your phone up for all to see. How do they spot drivers who are texting behind the wheel? There are a few different tactics. For...
Is it legal to text when your vehicle is at a stop light/sign?
You probably know that it is not legal to text and drive in New York. What you may also believe is that it’s totally fine to text behind the wheel if your vehicle is stopped. For example, if you’re at a red light, you might check your messages quickly before you have...
Accused of texting while driving? You can defend yourself
There are people who watch out for texting drivers just to call the police. There are city-wide traffic task force members who are there watching out for the same thing. It’s unfortunate, but you could be accused of texting and driving even if you weren’t. Whether...
Should you have a driving contract with your teenager?
The day that has you feeling both excited and fearful has finally come: Your kid got their driver’s license. They now can get around without you -- and you can even send them on household errands when you want without supervision. Terrifying, isn’t it? While parents...
The financial impact of a DUI
Drinking and driving is done by millions each year, leading to thousands of arrests here in New York. The biggest fear for many when they are initially pulled over or arrested is losing their license. That certainly will happen if they are guilty, but people tend to...